From: John Beane <insurgo@pacbell.net>
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Info on L.A. picket
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 15:43:29 -0700
Message-ID: <359ABB90.F0C1BE2E@pacbell.net>
I just got off the phone with the watch commander (i believe) of the lapd in hollywood. (thanks for the number). he said that they can perform citizens arrests if they feel they are being victimized. As can we. Any sort of detainment or anything is illegal, though. And certainly they're not allowed to beat us up. :) He recommended that we have people video-recording at all times. He also said that we might want to picket across the street, etc, if we were too worried. he said anyone receiving a citizens arrest will be brought to police hq and either processed or let go. I asked if it was ok for me to perform a citizens arrest on someone that had performed an illegal citizens arrest on me. he said that was fine, just explain everything to the officer that shows up. He said it would help if we had video on our side, he recommends having two separate video people that record anything when anyone comes up to the group. Also, he says we can't use a bullhorn and all picket signs, etc, have to be made of sticks, or whatever, that are less than 3/4 of an inch thick. (so it cant be used as a weapon.). Apparently, they're aware of Scientology's urge to perform a citizens arrest on anyone they don't like. He asked us to be careful.
I liked the id card idea. We need to get a grip on numbers. How many are coming? Can we all email to someone with a reply if we're coming? so we can get organized? I'd volunteer, but i figure you guys might not trust me yet, since i'm relatively new to ars still. Someone want to head this up? Lots to plan ...
john
p.s. sorry about the quality of the typing in my messages lately. my keyboard's crapping out, i only get every third "u" that i type, my shift key is malfunctioning and my backspace is dead. try typing well without a backspace. i suspect lrh is behind it all. :)